Heat's Ronny Turiaf opts to become unrestricted free agent

June 30, 2012|By Shandel Richardson, Sun Sentinel

MIAMI — Ronny Turiaf’s stint with the Miami Heat appears to be over.

His agent, Mark Bartelstein, said Turiaf will not pick up an option to return to the team and instead will become an unrestricted free agent. Turiaf had until Saturday to decide on a $1.2 million option clause for 2012-13.

“He’d love to be back in Miami,” Bartelstein said. “But it really didn’t make sense.”

The decision was affected by the Heat deciding to guarantee Dexter Pittman’s salary for next season. Turiaf, who signed with the Heat March 21, started five of the 13 games in the regular season before being slowed by a hamstring injury. He averaged just 10.1 minutes during the postseason, making seven starts.

Bartelstein said Turiaf has already received “a lot of interest” from other teams.